Bulldogs Score Final 11 Points, Take 62-55 Win at Loyola

Senior Cortney Urquhart came off the bench for the first time this season and scored 20 points and the Bulldogs held host Loyola scoreless for the last five minutes of the game to escape with a 62-55 win Thursday night at the Gentile Center in Chicago. Butler scored the final 11 points of the game and improves to 12-12 overall and 6-7 in Horizon League play. Loyola falls to 7-17 (4-9).

Urquhart tied her career-high with 14 rebounds, including five on the offensive end, to grab her second double-double of the season. She shot 9-of-17 from the field, scoring six of the Bulldogs' last eight points. Sophomore Ellen Hamilton had 17 points, hitting three of four three-point attempts. Despite struggling with her jump shot, sophomore Jackie Closser handed out eight assists for the third game in a row.

Butler sprinted out a 10-point lead less than a minute into the second half. However, Loyola responded and used a 6-0 run to take the lead at 44-43 with 11:55 to play before Closser hit her only three-pointer of the night to regain the lead, 46-44. The teams traded buckets for a few minutes before Urquhart's lay-up at 3:30 gave the Bulldogs a 56-55 lead and the Ramblers didn't register a point down the stretch.

Butler hit eight three-pointers and shot 39 percent from the field. Loyola matched the Bulldogs, going 24-of-62 from the field. The Ramblers had a slight edge on the glass, 42-41. Butler committed just 10 turnovers, including only three in the second half. Urquhart contributed greatly to the Bulldogs' 30 points in the paint.

Hamilton nailed a three-pointer with 12 seconds to play in the first half, giving the Bulldogs a 33-27 lead heading into the half. The six-point margin was the largest of the first half. Hamilton led all scorers at the break with 10 points. Both teams got out to hot starts, but cooled midway through the first half, as the Bulldogs shot 43 percent to the Ramblers' 39-percent mark.

Indianapolis native Meskhenet Lands led the Ramblers with 20 points, while guard Marquise Hanser had a team-high 14 rebounds.

With Wright State's win Thursday night over Detroit, the Bulldogs will now start the Horizon League Tournament on the road with the final three games determining the destination.

The Bulldogs return to Hinkle Fieldhouse Saturday, hosting UIC in the first game of a Butler basketball doubleheader. The women tip at noon, leading up to the men's team game against non-league opponent Valparaiso. The game can be heard live on www.butlersports.com.